G.I Joe’s Lessons of Faith on 40th anniversary of TV Debut

For many kids in the 1980s, they had a memory of a beloved cartoon series called GI. Joe: A Real American Hero. The franchise debuted in September 1983 and concluded in November 1985.

The cartoon series featured fan favorites like Snake Eyes, Duke, Stalker, Lady Jay, and Flint to name a few for the G.I. Joes or good guys to put into better terms. For COBRA, it had Destro, Cobra Commander, Zartan, Baroness, Storm Shadow, and many others.

In addition to its thrilling storylines in a 30-minute slot, the series featured PSAs that reminded kids to make sure to be safe in times of trouble. Here is one notable PSA here.

Fans saw epic battles that would have the Joes come up with the victory in stopping COBRA from conquering the world.

The cartoon series did give us two takeaways that are applicable to our faith journey.

He never gives up

In the lyrics of its theme song, the artist says that G.I. Joe never gives up on its mission. As Catholics, we too must not give up on our faith journey despite the times we fall and fail. Yet, God is always with us.  

Steeler’s perseverance

A two-part episode of the series stood out to me. A GI Joe named Steeler escaped a near-death encounter with Zartan. After escaping with his life, he thought of quitting the team. In the end, it was his fellow members of the team that helped him overcome his feelings to keep going. God remains the same in spite of it all. See the episode here. Here's part two here. 

We have a reason to keep fighting and that is to make it to heaven.

As the theme song reminds us, never give up and know that God is always with us.

Remember to be surrounded by those who are willing to help you in your faith journey.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23